Which livestock species are categorized as having monogastric stomachs?

Monogastric stomachs are characterized by having a single compartment, as opposed to ruminant animals, which possess a multi-chambered stomach designed for fermenting and breaking down fibrous plant material. Horses are classified as monogastric because they have one stomach and their digestive system is adapted to ferment and digest fibrous foods, primarily through the utilization of a large cecum.

Horses primarily rely on microbial fermentation occurring in the cecum to digest forage. This unique adaptation allows them to break down cellulose in plants efficiently, even though they do not have a rumen like ruminants do. Their diet primarily consists of hay and grass, which necessitates this fermentation process for proper nutrient absorption.

In contrast, cattle, sheep, and goats are classified as ruminants due to their complex stomach structure, which includes multiple chambers that enable them to process fibrous plant materials effectively. Ruminants have evolved to consume a high-fiber diet and have mechanisms such as rumination and microbial fermentation in their rumen to aid in the digestion of these materials.